How do YOU want to spend your life?

Every person will answer this question differently. Your answer is your vocation. Perhaps for you, life as a Catholic sister would offer an incredible opportunity to live a life of love, community, and service.

Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world's deep need.” - Frederick Buechner

“Lift up your heart to God. Be calm and have confidence. Let us pray from our heart and with faith.” St. Maria DeMattias

Discernment begins with prayer. It is about engaging with God in a relationship in order to shed light into our lives. It is also a spiritual understanding and knowledge of how God is active in one’s daily life. Discernment is faithful living, engaged listening and openly responding to God’s love and direction so that we can fulfill our individual Baptismal call and shared mission in the Church.

In discernment we move through and beyond our feelings, our thoughts and our reasoning about what God wants of us, in order to be led by God’s Spirit toward action. Discernment does not imply fully comprehending God’s will, but rather it raises the question, What is the next step God wants me to take?

Every vocation is the story of desire, the longing of a search, the hunger for an encounter that then becomes the center of one’s life and the drive toward an ever deeper understanding… It is in the light of [pursuing Jesus] that one’s own identity is revealed. – Sister Vittoria Tomarelli, ASC

“With humility, patience and genuine love for God one can accomplish everything that God wants of us. Be courageous and have great trust in Jesus and Mary.” St. Maria DeMattias

Vocation is a deliberate choice/response to an inner call from God. Vocational decisions can be difficult, a bit confusing and very challenging. It takes patience, trust and faith. It can come with a range of emotions: excitement, joy, happiness, uncertainty, nervousness and even apprehension.

However through prayer and discernment and a listening heart, God is there with us, guiding us, loving us along the way.

May your love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best. Philippians 1:9-10

What is God’s will for me?

How do I find happiness and fulfillment in my life?

Do I have a desire to be in religious life? Do I find my heart filled with hope and joy when thinking about it?

What is my attraction to religious life? What is my motivation to be a Sister?

Would I be able to live my vocation with energy and enthusiasm in community, ministry, and in all facets of religious life?

Do I feel free and open to respond to God’s call whatever that might be?

Has there been confirmation of a religious call from a spiritual director? Have there been providential signs by unexpected resources, encouragement from unusual sources, scripture reading resonating in a new, different way?

Is there a deep inner peace when I pray, think about of talk about becoming a sister?

"Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be." Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.

It was you who created my inmost self, and put me together in my mother’s womb: for all these mysteries I thank you; for the wonder of myself, for the wonder of your works. Psalm 139: 1-18

As the clay is in the hand of the potter, so you are Mine. Jeremiah 18:1-10

Then I heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?” I answered, “I will go! Send me!” Isaiah 6:5-8

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

I set before you life or death…choose life. Deuteronomy 30:19

I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full. John 10:10

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. John 15:11

If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let one renounce oneself and take up the cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save ones life will lose it; but anyone who loses ones life for my sake will save it. Luke 9:23

This is what Yahweh asks of you, only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek God’s will in all you do and God will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21

In God alone is there rest for my soul. Psalm 62:1

I chose you, and I commissioned you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last. John 15:16